Traumatic Brain Injury
By: Erin Engnell
Definition of TBI

“An insult to the brain, not of degenerative or
congenital nature caused by an external
physical force that may produce a diminished
or altered state of consciousness, which
results in an impairment of cognitive abilities
or physical functioning. It can also result in
the disturbance of behavioral or emotional
functioning.”
Levels of TBI

Mild TBI
–

Moderate TBI
–

Glascow Coma Scale
score 13-15
Glascow Coma Scale
score 9-12
Severe TBI
–
Glascow Coma Scale
score 8 or less
Causes

An outside force
impacts the head
causing the brain to
move

A direct blow to the
head

A rapid acceleration
and deceleration of the
head
Pie Chart of TBI Causes
Transportation 44%
Falls 26%
Other 13%
Firearms 8%
Non Firearm Assaults 9%
Incidence Rates

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
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

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Currently 5.3 million Americans are living with a disability as a
result of TBI (about 2% of US population)
1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI each year
More than 50,000 people die each year from TBI (22% of people
with TBI)
80,000 Americans obtain a long-term disability following TBI
every year
2
3 of firearm related TBI’s are a result of someone trying to
attempt suicide
The risk of TBI in men is twice the risk in women
Every 21 seconds, one person in the U.S. sustains a TBI
Comparing TBI
2,000,000
1,500,000
Annual
Incidence
1,000,000
500,000
0
Traumatic
Brain
Injury
Breast
Cancer
HIV/Aids
Spinal
Cord Injury
Symptoms of a person
who might have TBI











Dilated or unequal size of pupils
Vision changes
Respiratory failure
Paralysis, difficulty moving body parts, weakness, poor
coordination
Vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Ringing in the ears, or changes in ability to hear
Trouble with balance
Difficulty with thinking skills
Difficulty speaking, slurred speech
Possible Characteristics of a person
with a Traumatic Brain Injury

Cognitive

Physical

Emotional
Instructional Ideas


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
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Be PATIENT!
Transition plans for the student
Structure and routines
Do not set specific expectations for achievement
Be supportive and responsive to changing needs
of students with TBI
Technology varies because TBI is a very wide
spectrum disorder
Prevention in Schools

Playground safety

School Bus safety

Pedestrian safety

Youth violence
Parts of the Brain
Right or Left Brain

Injuries to the right side
of the brain
–

Injuries to the left side
of the brain
–

Creativity impairment
Intellectual impairment
Diffuse Injuries (both
sides of brain)
Money!!!!

48.3 billion dollars annually spent in the U.S.
for patients with TBI
–
–
Hospitalization accounts for 31.7 billion dollars
Fatal brain injuries cost the U.S. 16.6 billion
dollars
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Resources for Teachers

Brain Injury Association of Illinois
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Brain Injury Association of America
–
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www.biausa.org
TBI Information Center
–

http://www.biausa.org/Illinois/bia.htm
www.tbiinfocenter.com
Children With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Parent's
Guide (The Special Needs Collection) by Lisa
Schoenbrodt
I'll Carry the Fork!: Recovering a Life After Brain
Injury by Kara L. Swanson
Bibliography

Brain Injury Association of America
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TBI Information Center
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www.biausa.org
www.tbiinfocenter.com
NIH Consensus Statement “Rehabilitation of
Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury”
Including Students with Special Needs
By: Marilyn Friend
Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Teens
Government Publication